New with Questions

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I'm new to the welding world.  I'm in the market for a welder for one major project but also one that will work for me in the future.  I have a few acres of land and it is surrounded by pipe fence. I plan on putting up one around my back yard.  The farthest away from the house would be around a hundred feet (from socket).  I looked into a generator/welder so I'd be mobile but most of the time I'd be doing smaller jobs and don't want to listen to the motor raging away.  Just recently read about the Maxstar 150s and its interesting but don't know much about this type.  Any advice/help would be appreciated.Hopsing
Reply:Dont know much about the Maxstar 150.  You may want to check out the GiantTech ARC 200 at www.plasmametalcutter.com.  It is a chinese machine just to let you know ahead of time in case you are not favorable to these units.  I tend to favor the Lincoln brand line myself, but I purchased this same unit a couple weeks ago and am very pleased with it up to this point.  Very light in weight, small in size, very portable, 200amps, 220 voltage, very inexpensive, and 3yr warranty.  Oh, by the way, welcome to the forum !  A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:A used transformer dc stick welder (like a Thunderbolt XL or Tombstone ac/dc) with 100' of leads (per side) should do, for the work you describe.  You can pick up one of these units used for about $300.  You will need 50 amps of 220 volt power to run it.Otherwise, a 110 volt mig can be had used for about the same price and run it with a 100' heavy duty extension cord.  You will need a 20 amp 110 volt circuit to run it.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33A used transformer dc stick welder (like a Thunderbolt XL or Tombstone ac/dc) with 100' of leads (per side) should do, for the work you describe.  You can pick up one of these units used for about $300.  You will need 50 amps of 220 volt power to run it.Otherwise, a 110 volt mig can be had used for about the same price and run it with a 100' heavy duty extension cord.  You will need a 20 amp 110 volt circuit to run it.
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelsonRunning 100' on a #10 cable for a 110v mig produces too much voltage drop tomake the machine usable. Been thar', dun that.....and the physics of voltagedrop bear that out.50' with #10 works fine with 110v mig.
Reply:I dont know what your bugget is. I recently purchased the Lincoln Outback 145 DC welder for under $2'000 and its GREAT!!!!!!
Reply:Depends on what you want to do in the future. If are looking to get into DC only tig welding the Maxstar is a good machine though the amps are limited. Sounds as though you are leaning that way. Your budget seems to be in the 1100-1500 range with that machine choice. I would say it's a good buy. Some people like the thermal arc 180 ac/dc machine which would hit that price range if you get it used. I've tigged and stick welded in the shop and the field with both. I personally, would lean towards the Miller if you don't mind not having AC. I have a personal hatred for all thermal arc tig/plasma welders so take that with a grain of salt. Their cutting machines are great though.Last edited by i4sillypwr; 09-24-2009 at 10:50 PM.
Reply:I have a Maxstar 150s and love it.  I use it just about everyday now cuz it's so easy to move around.  If I had to do it over....I prolly would have sprung for the 150sth just cuz I been tigging a lot of steel lately and my syncrowave 200 is a little power hungry.  At the time though I didn't have the money and the sth was about twice the cost of the S model.  I needed a machine asap so I just made a decision and ran with it.I love dragging the Maxstar out into the yard and using my cheater cord and then 75' of 12awg extension cord, works sweet and the cords are cheap.  Make sure you figure in the cost of extension cords or long leads if you plan on stringing them out a long ways.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Thanks, I'll look at some of those options.  I just found out a friend of mine is selling a Hobart Stickmate LX for $275.  He's gotten some use out of it but still works fine.  It seems like a versatile welder and should do both big and small jobs.  How will it be with longer leads or longer cord to reach out the the 100' range?  Also what size generator be needed to power it. Thanks again.
Reply:I just looked at ebay quick to see what 100ft of leads would cost...Looks like $500-$600 for stinger and ground.  From memory, 100ft of extension cord would be about the same.  So adding that to you friends Stickmate.....puts you at $775-$875.  A generator to run that welder so you don't have to buy long leads or extension cords will prolly be more expensive yet.For comparison, if I want to take my Maxstar 150s 100ft from power... 100ft of 12awg extension cords cost $50 from Menards.  My cheater cord to go from 220 to 110 volt plug so I can use those extension cords cost about $25.  My Maxtstar cost $755 to my door.  All said and done....$830 to go 100ft from power, I can carry it all in one hand (and have done so with helmet, slag hammer, and rods too), I have the option of running off 110v if an outlet is closer, and it would take a considerably smaller generator to run it if I was really out in the middle of nowhere.Food for thought.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Your better off running longer cords then leads.  high voltage (110v or 220v) out performs low voltage (17V), and AC out preforms DC when running through copper.  That is why high tension lines carry so much electricity.   If I were you I would buy a maxstar 150.  have an outlet on a 30amp breaker installed and have an electrician give you advice on the cord size.DAG NABIT, I left my tape on the saw.Wild Fire Welding
Reply:I would buy that Hobart stick welder, a 50 foot 220v extension cord and a set of 50 foot 1/0 leads, plug into the outlet already existing and forget the generator.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Rent an engine drive for this one time project?
Reply:sounds like the perfect place for   oxyacetylene  welding .
Reply:http://www.thermalarc95s.com/Hopsing,The Maxstar will do a great job for light projects like you have in mind. A new 100' 12/3 extension cord should be all you need an long as you have good electricity supplying the welder. http://www.hardwareandtools.com/invt/u570806We have used the Maxstar alot on commercial jobs when practical and the only trouble we have had is if temporary power is not sufficient of if too many people are running off of the same circuit.It burns E7018 better than 6010/6011 IMO. 3/32 7018 is no problem at all.I recently used the Thermal Arc for a GTAW project and it did very well but it is only 95 amps. Less than 600.00 though. I think the Maxstar if worth the extra money.
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33I would buy that Hobart stick welder, a 50 foot 220v extension cord and a set of 50 foot 1/0 leads, plug into the outlet already existing and forget the generator.
Reply:Because that's the one his friend is selling at a cheap price and he can get up and going for very little money that way.   He can always use the 50' ext cord later on any 220v machine he owns, so no money lost there.  Same with the 50' stick leads.   He said he already has a 220v circuit available to run the machine from.  His concern was the distance, 100', which can be taken care of with a 50' power cord and 50 feet of leads (pair).Last edited by DesertRider33; 09-27-2009 at 07:52 PM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I missed that post.  I was asking you because you always have good info on equipment.   Hopsing I agree with DesertRider33's logic.  I'll bet you would be very happy with that set-up.  I also like them Maxstars,  up to 3/32" rod.Last edited by Tom Kroscavage; 09-28-2009 at 02:48 AM.DAG NABIT, I left my tape on the saw.Wild Fire Welding
Reply:Your responses are why these forums are so helpful.  I get more info from these than I can reading a bunch of how to books.  To be honest I'm REALLY inexperienced at welding...so again thanks for the help.I decided to get the Hobart Stickmate LX from my bud because I thought the deal was too good to pass up, its a very versitile welder with variable amperage both AC and DC and sticks are good to learn with.  BTW he threw in a full box of sticks, over 50' of cord, a cheap hood (good for backup) and a cart for mobility.  I've been practicing on some welds before I get going on project.  I talked to him and he did several projects with this welder and a generator so that will be on my buy-right-away list to help with the fence.  I think the inverter welders like the maxstar are really interesting for what I'll be doing in the future and may be an addition or replacement down the road.  But since I didn't know much about them, I decided to go more traditional for now.Again thank for the inputs and I'll be reading this forum in all my spare time.
Reply:If my fence doesn't look too wavy I'll post some pictures.  (Think positive!)
Reply:I just picked up 100' of 1/0... cost me $200.  I bought some 6/3 at over 3 bucks per foot... only bought a foot though to make an adapter.  Wire isn't cheap, but you don't want to skimp on it either.Work HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:Originally Posted by HopsingIf my fence doesn't look too wavy I'll post some pictures.  (Think positive!)
Reply:oops, double post...Work HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:Sounds like a winner.  Hope the fence project goes well and you have alot of fun building it!  MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op